ISL 2017: 5 best foreign signings this season

All the ISL teams have made up their respective squads for season four with almost every team filling up their foreign player quota of eight players. Along with the Indian stars, there is always an attraction towards the business done by the clubs in luring experienced foreign faces to the country. This is what makes the league more prominent and help it reach the masses.

ISL season 4 will feature some of the biggest names that the country has ever seen. It has caused the anticipation for the league to smash roofs with big stars such as Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane all set to make their debut in India. Along with some marquee signings, clubs have gone on to make some astute buys in the transfer market to make up their team composition.

With all the teams being done and dusted with their business, let us take a look at the five best foreign signings done by ISL clubs: (The rankings are done on the basis of five criteria namely: Age, Career span, Experience in Asia, Experience in India and Trophies won)

#5 Emiliano Alfaro

FC Pune City lacked a calm head in front of goal last season. Despite playing well under Antonio Habas, the Stallions fell short because of a lack of goals. The management has gone on to strengthen their weak areas and have acquired one of the premier forwards from the last season.

Emiliano Alfaro, the Uruguayan hitman, was one of the best players of ISL 2016 and was also the top scorer for NorthEast United. Alfaro is a smart player who can finish off moves with ease, having played with Edinson Cavani and Diego Godin for Uruguay some years ago. Many clubs were eyeing Alfaro and by taking him on board, FC Pune City have made a big statement.

#4 John Johnson

The defender has been with the Blues since day one

As expected, Bengaluru FC are one of the favourites to clinch the title in their first year in the ISL because of their astute business in the transfer market. But their best bit of work was done in retaining one of the club stalwarts who has been there since day one. John Johnson, the rock in the Bengaluru FC defence, has been with the club since it was formed in 2013 and has been instrumental in club's meteoric rise in just four years of its existence.

Johnson has a four-year experience of Indian football which will prove to be essential in BFC having a successful season in the ISL next season. His contract renewal has again proved the long-term philosophy of the club with the former Middlesbrough defender still having a number of years left in him to deliver. Also, keeping a fan favourite in the side will help the club earn some brownie points from the Blues faithful.

#3 Robbie Keane

ATK have completed a huge coup in the form of Robbie Keane

The Irishman is one of the biggest coups ever achieved by an ISL club. ATK have done a tremendous business in luring Robbie Keane to India with the 37-year-old already having offers from Europe and the MLS. Keane is a Premier League proven striker and has banged in goals for every club where he has featured. He is Kolkata's most expensive buy of the summer but a risk which may pay huge dividends.

One thing that Keane guarantees is goals and ATK needed that for their title defence. ATK have always had a brilliant striker up front with Keane set to be the most high-profile player to ever play for the two-time champions. The Irishman is a preseason favourite for the Golden Boot award and if that happens, ATK will have a good chance of retaining their crown.

#2 Wes Brown

Wes Brown guarantees solidity at the back for the Blasters

Kerala Blasters have done some of their best business of all time this summer and have grabbed eyeballs with their two major signings. One of them is the acquisition of former Manchester United defender, Wes Brown. The central defender was United's mainstay for a long period of time where he won a ton of accolades.

Mostly, the ISL teams concentrate on getting foreign players in attacking positions but the signing of Brown marks a change in the thinking of the clubs. The league has not seen many top-class defenders in the three years of its existence but with Brown at the helm, expect the quality of defending to go a notch higher. Brown will also give a tough fight to the other top defenders in the league such as Andre Bikey and Anas Edathodika.

#1 Dimitar Berbatov

The uber cool Bulgarian will be seen in the ISL

There is a type of signings which elevates the mood around a club and quickly changes the perception of it from being title contenders to title favourites. Dimitar Berbatov now of Kerala Blasters has done just that! The Bulgarian can be said as the most exciting player to watch out for in the upcoming season with his supreme first touches, brilliant close control and expert finishing set to take the ISL by storm.

Berbatov is also the third highest paid player in the league which increases the pressure on him to perform. But the classy striker has always played under pressure throughout his career and will look to be in the scoring charts as soon as the group phase begins. A Manchester United cult figure, Berbatov is also expected to be adored as soon as he sets foot on the field by the football-crazy Kerala supporters.